Blown along the South Oxford

2 hours, 4.7 minutes, 2.9 miles, 9 locks

Cropredy to Claydon Top lock

Good intentions never seem to last! We thought we might get moving in decent time this morning. Ha! We woke at 9 am.  Heavy night last night? Well ... we did enjoy a wee bit of wine and beer with the Alnwicks!

We finally set off, before lunch, to get water at Cropredy Old Coal Wharf. There was a bit of a wind so I let John take the tiller! We got to  Cropredy lock: it was almost empty and I had to open the paddles for the last few inches. This did not please the boat crew coming down who arrived at the lock just as I did! I was completely ignored - back turned immediately to read the noticeboard there. Hey ho, I am quite happy to do the lock on my own without any help or rancour! He did give a little help with a gentle push to the top gate when I had got it open.

We ticked off the locks, Cropredy, Broadmoor, Varneys and Elkington. I took the tiller as I should learn to brave the wind! John needs the exercise too.

At Varneys we met a boat coming down

He was single handing his way down onto the Kennet and Avon (he hoped) and was picking John's brains about mooring on the K & A. He told us that the boat we encountered at Cropredy was a share boat and had been leaving the bottom gates and paddles open all the way down. Not very helpful!

The wind increased just in time for the Claydon flight! These locks can be tricky in a wind, as two have bridges immediately below the bottom gates.

Claydon Bottom lock

These bridges are likely to take the chimney of an unwary boater! There are also weirs to contend with so use of the throttle is required and the boat cannot be left just to glide in! Add into this mix bends on the approach to locks 19, 18 and 17 and it can be fun!

A newly blacked boat is a magnet for lock sides and sticky out gates! But we both did very well and Epiphany is relatively unscathed! I was quite proud of my helmsmanship and was even congratulated by the "Skipper", LOL. Pride goes before a fall, what will happen tomorrow!

Claydon lock 18

We moored above Claydon top lock. We are pinned to the bank by the wind but thought we should use the ropes just in case! It will be fun getting off in the morning if the wind does not drop!

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